Page 48 of Beguiled
“Vilmar has discovered her secret for needing Grendel,” Mikkel continued, “and she seeks his death so he won’t tell anyone else.”
“’Tis possible.” Mikkel’s observations were astute as usual. That he could so quickly analyze information and draw conclusions never failed to amaze me. And now curiosity replaced my irritation.
“You must tell me her secret,” Mikkel insisted.
“I have no knowledge of a secret.”
“Does this have something to do with her obsession with the white stone and alchemy?”
“I cannot see how.”
“You must have some inkling.”
“I have been honest with you about everything.” Once the words were out, guilt slapped me hard across my face. I hadn’t been honest with him about my appearance.
He didn’t contradict my statement, but his ensuing silence indicated that he was thinking of my veil too. Perhaps he was justified in his mistrust. Perhaps we both still needed to learn to trust each other.
Should I remove my veil and tell him the truth about myself at this very moment? I reached for the strings that held the covering in place. If I showed him my face, would he treat me like all the other men I’d known? Seeing only my beauty and focusing on that to the exclusion of everything else?
He was the first man who valued me as a friend, accepted my ideas, and listened to my opinions.
I let my hand drop back to the reins. I loved the camaraderie we’d developed, especially over the past fortnight of traveling, and I didn’t want that to change. Not yet. Once we had Ruby, I’d tell him the truth then.
For now, what would it hurt to keep the veil in place a little longer?
“If Vilmar has made an enemy of the queen,” Mikkel said, “will she consider me a foe as well?”
“’Tis quite likely she will regard you with ill will.”
Mikkel muttered something about Vilmar being foolish. “Let us pray she will not reject my request for Ruby on account of Vilmar.”
My heart stumbled a beat at the thought of Mikkel seeking an audience with the queen. “You cannot go before her now that your brother is her enemy.”
“I’m willing to take the risk for Ruby’s sake.”
I shook my head even though the darkness concealed the motion. “No. If the queen realizes you have any connection either to me or Vilmar, she will most definitely hold you as her prisoner.”
“I’m not planning to tell her you are my wife. Only that you have sought refuge in Scania and that you request sanctuary for Ruby as well.”
“Even if you say nothing about our union, she will hold you for ransom on account of Vilmar.”
“In exchange for Ruby, I will offer her the one thing she has longed for that my father denied her. The chance to forge an alliance with Scania once I become king.”
I paused. Would the queen accept such an offer? “’Tis no secret she wishes to gain the friendship of other nations so that when she attempts to reclaim Mercia, no one will protest or come to Mercia’s aid.”
“She also knows that an alliance with Scania can provide valuable resources she may need during times of war, especially ships.”
The queen had talked of reuniting Mercia and Warwick for many years but lacked the resources to do so. Mikkel’s offer of Scania’s friendship and the prospect of gaining well-crafted vessels would entice her. But would it be enough?
The plodding hooves of our horses filled the air around us along with the soft trill of crickets. I released a tense breath. No matter what we chose to do, the way would be fraught with peril. “I believe the wisest course of action is to remain steadfast with what I have planned all along, and that is to sneak into the castle, kidnap Ruby, and steal her away before anyone can report it.”
“If any kidnapping is to be done, Gregor and I shall be the ones to do it, not you.”
“I know the castle better than anyone—”
“I shall attempt to negotiate for Ruby’s release first, and if that fails, Gregor and I will steal her away.” From the stubborn ring of his tone and after what had happened in Fife, I knew Mikkel intended to sacrifice his own safety and well-being once more. But this time, I couldn’t let him.
Whether he liked it or not, I would be the one going in to do the rescuing. Hopefully, by the time he realized my plans, I’d already be in and out of the castle with Ruby in tow.
